CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential compound of the human body which is synthesized in the mitochondrial inner membrane [1]. The molecule of COQ10 has a highly lipophilic character and the base of its structure belongs to quinone chemical group (Fig. 11). The 10 indicates the number of isoprenyl units, which determines its low polarity and allows its fast diffusion through mitochondrial membrane [2]. It should be taken into consideration that COQ10 exists in 2 forms: oxidized (ubiquinone) and reduced (ubiquinol) [1]. CoQ10 has many important functions in human body. Firstly, it can be named the key-component of electron transport chain in mitochondria necessary for ATP production [3]. COQ10 transfers electrons from complex 1 to complex 3. Besides that, it plays a role in the protons’ transfer in the inner mitochondrial membrane. This process is called protonmotive Q-cycle [4]. Q-cycle is a series of consecutive reactions of oxidation and reduction of CoQ10, between ubiquinone and ubiquinol forms, which leads to free movement of protons through the lipid bilayer, and in the case of mitochondria through the internal mitochondrial membrane. It should be noted that the Q-cycle is inseparably linked to the respiratory chain of electron transfer. In addition to its important role in electrons’ transport, COQ10 can act as an intercellular antioxidant, protecting the plasmatic membrane against peroxidation [5]. In a research, supplementation with COQ10 showed an obvious decrease of the lipid hydroperoxides’ concentration in atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice [6]. As a hydrogen donor, it is more effective than other antioxidants. Besides that COQ10 is able to regenerate the oxidized form of α-tocopherol [4]. We also have to mention that CoQ-dependent NADH-oxidase is a transporter of electrons across the plasma membrane. It plays role in cell growth and differentiation [7]. Likewise, the Q-cycle has generated ubisemiquinone which generates superoxide anion radical by means of reaction with molecular oxygen producing than hydrogen peroxide that influences redox state. Due to its important place in organisms’ functioning, there are many diseases and degenerative states associated with CoQ10’s deficiency such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis, hypertension, dyslipidemia), muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and others [8]. Administration of selenium and COQ10 in a group of healthy elderly participants given four years of intervention results in a significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality, which was observed for 10 years [9]. Therefore, this review is aimed to sum up the current possibilities to use COQ10 in a variety of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions with an analysis of its impact on patients’ health and quality of life. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6131403/

CoQ10 administration in different conditions.

Q: What does Leyla say about Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)? A: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential compound of the human body which is synthesized in the mitochondrial inner membrane [1]. The molecule of COQ10 has a highly lipophilic character and the base of its structure belongs to quinone chemical group (Fig. 11). The 10 indicates the number of isoprenyl units, which determines its low polarity and allows its fast diffusion through mitochondrial membrane [2]. It should be taken into consideration that COQ10 exists in 2 forms: oxidized (ubiquinone) and reduced (ubiquinol) [1]. CoQ10 has many important functions in human body. Firstly, it can be named the key-component of electron transport chain in mitochondria necessary for ATP production [3]. COQ10 transfers electrons from complex 1 to complex 3. Besides that, it plays a role in the protons’ transfer in the inner mitochondrial membrane. This process is called protonmotive Q-cycle [4]. Q-cycle is a series of consecutive reactions of oxidation and reduction of CoQ10, between ubiquinone and ubiquinol forms, which leads to free movement of protons through the lipid bilayer, and in the case of mitochondria through the internal mitochondrial membrane. It should be noted that the Q-cycle is inseparably linked to the respiratory chain of electron transfer. In addition to its important role in electrons’ transport, COQ10 can act as an intercellular antioxidant, protecting the plasmatic membrane against peroxidation [5]. In a research, supplementation with COQ10 showed an obvious decrease of the lipid hydroperoxides’ concentration in atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice [6]. As a hydrogen donor, it is more effective than other antioxidants. Besides that COQ10 is able to regenerate the oxidized form of α-tocopherol [4]. We also have to mention that CoQ-dependent NADH-oxidase is a transporter of electrons across the plasma membrane. It plays role in cell growth and differentiation [7]. Likewise, the Q-cycle has generated ubisemiquinone which generates superoxide anion radical by means of reaction with molecular oxygen producing than hydrogen peroxide that influences redox state. Due to its important place in organisms’ functioning, there are many diseases and degenerative states associated with CoQ10’s deficiency such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis, hypertension, dyslipidemia), muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and others [8]. Administration of selenium and COQ10 in a group of healthy elderly participants given four years of intervention results in a significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality, which was observed for 10 years [9]. Therefore, this review is aimed to sum up the current possibilities to use COQ10 in a variety of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions with an analysis of its impact on patients’ health and quality of life. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6131403/

CoQ10 administration in different conditions.